Principals' Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
A warm welcome back to all our students, staff and families for another busy and productive term. We hope you enjoyed a restful break and were able to enjoy some special time together with family and friends. We have had a very enjoyable first week of Term 3. There was definitely a tremendous buzz of excitement around the school as everyone caught up with their friends and shared holiday experiences. The students have settled very quickly into their learning routines in a positive manner with the wonderful support of our dedicated staff.
Semester 1 - Three Way Learning Conferences
Our term concluded with our Semester One 'Three Way Learning Conferences' and once again it was great to witness such a fantastic response from our parent body in regards to attending these important learning conversations. It clearly demonstrates what a caring school community we have here at St Joseph’s with the parents/carers and staff taking such an interest in how they can support each other to assist in the on-going development and education of their children and the students of our school.
NAPLAN 2023
If you have a child in Year 3 or Year 5, please keep a look out for their NAPLAN report which will be coming home today in an envelope. While we are unable to directly compare this year's results with results from previous years due to the new measurement scale that has been introduced, you will be able to see your child’s achievement against the national average for the year.
Overall, we are extremely proud of the high levels of proficiency that have been demonstrated by our students with 88% of our Year 3 children achieving results in the top two levels for Reading and 92% in Writing. In Year 5, 79% achieved proficiency in Reading and 82% achieved in the top two levels in Writing. On all of the ten NAPLAN assessments conducted across Year 3 and Year 5, our school’s average score was higher than the national average. This is a great achievement!
These results are outstanding and certainly worth celebrating, however it is important to remember that NAPLAN results are only one of many ways that teachers gain information about students' strengths and what the next steps are in each child's learning journey.
You will find further information about the NAPLAN Individual Student Report in The Learning Zone.
Athletics Carnival - 2023
“CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!” Well the term has certainly started off with a bang, which is rather appropriate since our students performed so admirably for their respective houses last week at our annual school athletics carnival. Congratulations to everyone on your outstanding participation. You should be very proud of your wonderful efforts! It was a glorious day to gather as a school community and take part in an absolutely marvellous carnival.
Well done to all the staff on their work preceding the carnival and on the day, especially convenors Mr Paterson and Mrs Lockwood. Their tireless efforts ensured that a great day was had by all in attendance. A big vote of thanks is extended to the many parents who were able to attend and support our students in the various events.
Finally, well done to those children who qualified for the Armidale Diocesan Athletics Carnival to be held in Tamworth on Friday 18th August.
Maree Holland & Greg O'Toole
Co-Principals
St Joseph's School - a Faith Filled Community Where Learning Matters.